John Havlicek
Basketball · Hometown: Bridgeport, OH
- High school
- Bridgeport High School
- College
- Ohio State University
- Pro team(s)
- Boston Celtics
- Hall of Fame
- ⭐ Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
"Hondo" John Havlicek was born in Martins Ferry and grew up in Bridgeport, Ohio, in Belmont County, where he attended Bridgeport High School. A two-sport star, he was drafted by both the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Browns before choosing basketball. In Boston he became the consummate team player and arguably the greatest "sixth man" in NBA history before graduating to starter — winning 8 NBA championships over 16 seasons, all with the Celtics. His steal in the 1965 Eastern Conference Finals, immortalized by announcer Johnny Most's call ("Havlicek steals the ball!"), remains one of the defining moments in NBA history. A 13× All-Star, Havlicek finished with 26,395 career points. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984.